The funding is an additional contribution to the €20 million pledged towards the end of 2022 under the European Peace Facility (EPF).

According to a statement from the EU Council, the new support will facilitate the acquisition of personal equipment and cover costs associated with the strategic airlift needed to sustain the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado.

Rwandan troops began their deployment in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities to assist in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado. Prior to their intervention, terrorist activities had claimed the lives of over 3,000 civilians and displaced more than 800,000 people.

Insecurity had also caused all development projects in insurgent-controlled areas to come to a halt.

Over the past three years, Rwandan security forces, in collaboration with Mozambique’s armed forces, have made significant progress in dismantling the Al Sunna Wa Jama (ASWJ) terrorist group from their strongholds in Mocimboa da Praia and Palma. This has enabled a considerable number of internally displaced persons to safely return to their homes.

Since 2021, Mozambique has also received military support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), although SADC forces began withdrawing in April 2024 as their mandate ended.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized that the presence of Rwandan Defence Force troops has been crucial in making progress, and their continued presence remains vital, especially following the recent withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).

“This top-up measure is a testimony of the EU’s support to ‘African solutions for African problems’ and, as part of the global fight against terrorism, it will also serve EU interests in the region,” Borrell stated.

This additional support further complements the parallel assistance measure of €89 million for the Mozambican Armed Forces, who have previously been trained under the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique.

The European Peace Facility, established in March 2021, is designed to finance EU external actions with military or defense implications, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace, and enhancing international security and stability.

In particular, the EPF enables the EU to fund actions that strengthen the military and defense capabilities of third countries, as well as regional and international organizations.

Rwandan soldiers on patrol in Cabo Delgado. Rwandan troops began their deployment in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities to assist in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.